Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-22
REPUBLIC, THURSDAY EVENING DECEMBER % 1887
covering nm.
Madce was sitting at his side.

Madge was sitting at his side.
Many condolences had been exchanged
between them before he had been doc
tored into the insensibility from which he
now awoke refreshed, and her beautiful
face lighted up Mt the change
"Ah. you are much better.''
eyes, Madge, God he praisedr'
81 am glad of that"
"Of course you are. you dear, darling
old girl! though ] had a close call-the
closest, save one-that ever had, or may
ever have again."
~ am glad not only for ourselves,
Luke, but-for something else"
"What is that'n
"The brave man who rescued you; he
is coming here to see you"
"Ohw And Luke moved . little un-
easily.
"Yes: in answer to my earnest inquiries
and persistent messages, he at last sent
word that he would come. He ought to
be here now"
Her brother made no answer.
'What did you say his name was,
Luke''
''Springstee!. We used to be pards up
at the Scorpion, but we've recently had
IA coolness."
'Ah! SO much more noble his devotion
In your hour OF need, then"
ayes, should rather say So"
"springsteel! Yes, that was the name
40 many shouted out as he was running
mp the ladder. What AN odd name, and
. real pretty and manfully significant
one, toor'
"wel!-er-it's only q nickname, you
know"
"Dut I didn't know. A nicknamer'
Eyes; most of old timers have 'em here
abouts suppose he got his from-from
well, you see, though Springsteel is
strictly square, and has made his little
pile honestly and by dosged hard work,
he's also been IA sort Of desperate char
acter. you might say"
"Oh, dearr'
"Oh, mind you, Madge, don't mean
anything criminal, anything vicious, yoa
understand. though he may have stocked
. private graveyard of his own, but only
only he's been in tough places, and no
man ever got the drop on him yet. Oh,
you understandr'
"Only too well, I'm afraid" With a
little sigh. SHOW unfortunate! But
what is his real name'''
Before Luke could answer there was .
knock at the door. and the man they were
talking about stood before them.
Madge had shrunk back, with her face
the hue of death, and then she took step
forward, her trembling hands extended,
amazement in her eyes, a brilliant color
surGing in her face.
.'Grant-Grant Battersbyr' she ex.
claimed.
He bowed with . rather poor attempt
at coldness.
"Madse," he began. IL recognized
you this morning. But before that had
known you were Luke's sister, through
mere accident-this picture. He pro-
duced the one snatched from the blazing
room, together with another, much worn,
as though by long treasuring, represent
ins her also, bat at least ten years
younger. "May lie you would like to
compare the two. Madge."
''How young was then; how have
changed" she murmured, hardly glanc-
ing at the photos.
"You are mere beautiful than ever"
he burst out, and then checked himself.
abby the way, you were Madge
Bark more then"
mo; went by the name Of q capri
cious old aunt, who was bringing me up,
or rather out, while my brother here. a
little boy then. had home with his uncle,
our dead fathers brother"
''Ah! then you-you never married
that spruce lawyer. Miggles. Mrs. Bark
more somehow 1 always took her for
your mother, was so set on you having,'
"NO. and never meant to-" indignant
ly. SIN fact it was my continued refus-
ing him that caused my aunt to alter her
will, and she died without leaving me q
penny. tried, oh, SO hard! to get word
TO you about it, after you had rushed
away in a passion, taking everything
against ME for granted. But in vain.
Until this hour l did not dream where
you were. Oh, how I have sorrowed-
suffered-hopedr'
'Madge'" Springsteel's voice was
broken and even womanish now.
Grant. my lover"
Then they were in each others arms.
'.Hurrah" shouted Luke Baldwin, in a
sort Of ecstasy. mo wonder that that
picture was my safeguard, and I'm out Gf
SprinGsteers death debt, I'll he sworn"
You may well say that. my boy" said
he, ''since you bring me life, love, bliss to
cancel it"'
Luke had to look, after all, for another
mistress for that secretly contrived little
ranch Of his; Springfield and Madge were
married before the weeks end and of on
. wedding tour.-Nathan ID. Crner in
Atlanta Constitution.